Another sick-out could put teachers jobs at risk

Thursday afternoon, the Michigan Court of Claims shut down a request by Detroit Public Schools for a temporary restraining order. It was filed on Wednesay against 28 parties including teachers in Detroit to stop these ongoing sickouts. FOX 2's legal analyst Charlie Langton tells me he's not surprised by the quick response.

Langton says,"When someone is requesting a temporary restraining order that means there is something urgent, and when teachers are not teaching, that is urgent!"

The complaint lays out each of the dated sickouts in Detroit, and the parties all who are accused of playing a key role in leading the pack.

"The court is going to decide whether or not the Detroit Public Schools has a meritorious case. Meaning, whether there is some law that teachers can strike. We all know there isn't a law. It's a illegal. It is illegal to strike," said Langton.

Langton believes one of two things could happen during the upcoming court hearing, either a judge can order teachers to not stage anymore sickouts or take the risk of being fined or kicked out of DPS.

"Maybe though this judge wants to broker a deal perhaps because teachers have legitimate concerns as well. But in any event, teacher sickouts can't happen and that's why the court did what it did and ordered a fast trial," says Langton.

Overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, deplorable condtions inside a number of schools, no pay raises, and cuts to benefits is what lead to all of the sickouts. The teachers also have a strong case, and they will have to get that point across in court.

Langton says,"I think what the judge is going to do is say teachers give me your best reason why you are getting "sick" and there better be a good reason and if there is not a good reason the judge is going to say teachers get back to school."

The court hearing is scheduled for this Monday at 11am at the Michigan Court of Appeals in Detroit.